Now that's just silly.

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While I agree with MMM I see an exception if we're talking about scanlating somewhat older works that failed to get a western release, likely never will and there's no other way to present them to a western audience. Yes, I realize it's still illegal and that it'd also be unfair toward the japanese audience who'd still have to pay for it but in this case, if someone was willing to translate them for free (For whatever reason...) I'd be fine with it. It's not like they'd take away potential money.

Though I guess this wasn't the case with One Manga and they hunted down the newest releases before anyone could have officially licensed them.

But in the end, I don't know either way. Never heard of the site before. I guess they also put official english releases online?

You mean like people that create and publish manga? How was One Manga helping them pay their bills?

Actually, MangaHelpers is doing something I find interesting with regards to online scans. They're trying to work with major publishing houses to create a platform that would allow artists/publishers to put content online and still earn a profit. It sounds like they'll have different payment models, which might include a no-pay plan where you just get the bare-bones in terms of content. If you want the specifics, though, you'll have to check this blog, since I don't remember off the top of my head what they said exactly.
OpenManga Official Blog

Actually they met with Japanese publishers and were never able to reach an agreement.

The problem with the OpenManga is two-fold.

1) Even if publishers agree to work with OneManga to bring manga online for a pay service, where does that leave the scanlators? Nowhere, that's where. Publishers are not going to allow alternative versions of their titles to be "published" online. They have translators and they have the RAWs. There is no place for scanners and translators.

2) Why is the publisher going to want to share profits with OpenManga? Surely the publishers in foreign countries will not be very happy with Japanese publishers that agree to work with a system like this. That threatens, for example, Viz's profits.

The site was illegal and it was growing increasingly popular... it was bound to happen.
It's tragic that Manga couldn't be so easily accessable without a cost. But that's life.

Congratulations to the publishers. I'm glad they can win some victories.

are there any manga sites where you can subscribe for a fair amount of money?